 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Sabrina L. Walsh, BA, University of Kentucky, Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, 333 Waller Ave., Suite 202, Lexington, KY 40504, 859.257.6711, slwals0@uky.edu
Intimate partner violence: the homicide-suicide case
Using data from the Kentucky Violent Death Reporting System from 1998 and 1999, gun-related fatal incidents were reviewed. 873 cases occurred during the period; 78% male, 77% white, mean age 44 range 1 to 100. Eight hundred forty seven were ‘single events’ where there was either a homicide or suicide to one individual. In 109 (12%) of all cases, the shooter and victim were involved in an intimate partner relationship. In 24 cases there was both a homicide and a suicide—two deaths at one event. 64% of the two death events involved intimate partner relationships. Most homicide-suicide incidents occurred in the residence (14 cases, 58%) of one of the decedents. Further analysis of the 24 cases of homicide-suicide found that all 24 (100%) shooters were male, 15 (62%) were white, with a mean age of 34 range 15 to 62. Of the 16 cases of intimate partner homicide-suicides, 13 (81%) were white males with a mean age of 35 range 21 to 62. In some of the cases, the wife had obtained a domestic violence order and was in the process of leaving the relationship. In cases where there was a homicide-suicide combined, victims were 15 times more likely to be involved in an intimate partner relationship. Surveillance of violent deaths statewide using multiple sources allows for rapid analysis and dissemination of findings.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Firearms, Homicide
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.